According to the latest survey from economists Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) and communications giant EE, Cardiff is leading the way in Pop-up shops, as more people shop in these blink and you’ll miss them outlets than anywhere else in the UK.

An estimated 23,400 people work in nearly 10,000 pop-up shops across Britain, ranging from temporary restaurants and shops to product trials from recognised brands, and the industry is projected to grow nearly 2.5 times faster than the traditional UK retail market in the next year.

The latest survey into the sector has found pop-up retailing is most prevalent in Cardiff as vacancy rates are higher in Wales than the rest of the UK which helps to support these ephemeral stores.

Newport-based clothing supplier Bedroom Athletics took a unit in the St David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff for 11 weeks from October 2012 to January 2013.

The firm’s creative director Stephanie Wetter said: “It was worth it for the brand awareness.

“We do supply our product into stores such as Office and Treds but not into a store that sells the clothing and the footwear.

“We don’t have any of our own standalone stores open 24/7.”

She added: “It was good from a marketing point of view.

“We had really good feedback and it was very positive and an excellent marketing opportunity.”

South Wales dolly brand, Bonnie & Pearl, was named the UK’s number one Short Term Retailer Of The Year at the prestigious Sceptre awards

for their pop-up shop in the St David’s Shopping Centre which ran from November 2013 to June 2014.

St David’s Shopping Centre has been home to 12 pop-up shops in the last 12 months and centre director Steven Madeley said talks are under way with potential tenants to take units this Christmas.

Mr Madeley said: “It has to be new, it has to be different and it has to compliment what we are already doing.

“Pop-up shops have been a part of St David’s for a number of years.

“We see them as an opportunity to give new businesses and local businesses a leg up and an opportunity to start trading and see how things work.

Richard Lim, head of business information at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said: “The novel use of these temporary spaces showcases the innovative nature of UK retail which continues to adapt to consumer demands and structural changes occurring throughout the industry.”